Pepper Adams on baritone sax..

Jazzcourier, what an appropriate name. For Gerry Mulligan to sat in awe of Pepper Adams was indeed high praise.

I've been enjoying Pepper's music for years without knowing it. Always a person on the go and in a hurry, I would buy an album by "Mingus" for example, and never check the sidemen. On "Blues & Roots" by Charles Mingus, ( he never liked to be called "Charlie"), that fantastic solo on "Moanin", is none other than Pepper Adams. On "A Night In Tunisia", from Lee Morgan's album, "The Cooker", that intro, that's too tough for words, is Pepper. This is without a doubt, one of the best versions of "A Night In Tunisia" ever recorded. The fact that he was a "sideman" with the very best jazz musicians of his time, is a testament to his awesome talents on the baritone.

Although the best jazz musicians are no longer with us, thanks to people like you who can recommend the treasures they left behind, and the fact that they left so many treasures, that I'll run out before the treasures run out, is good to know.

Enjoy the music.

I often enjoy Pepper Adams Quintet (with Donald Byrd) "10 to 4 at the 5 Spot". Not a sonic marvel, but terrific live music nonetheless. (Odd title, but it represents their playing time: 10pm to 4am.)

Never a wasted note.Always in the best company.A complete understanding of the Baritone's role in ensemble playing.He was the foremost modern Jazz baritone saxophonist(with all due respect to the father of the instrument,Harry Carney and the leading light of Bebop baritone Serge Chaloff.Even Gerry Mulligan sat in awe of Pepper and that is high praise.
The records mentioned are from the 50's and the 60's and they are great.By the late70's and into the 80's Pepper Adams really stands out in a series of quartet sessions."The Master" 'Reflectory" "Urban Dreams" are all vivid reminders of his command of the horn,his gentle wit and his firey assaults at way up tempos.Great records that are benchmarks in his discography and his race to outrun cancer.Another one of the musicians who never phoned it in,a special player who is missed and great to see remembered.
Of note is Gary Smulyan who is keeping that flame lit on the baritone.It is a shrinking audience for this honest music that asks nothing more than an open mind and a sensitive ear.Drink a toast to honesty and purity and the memory of greats like Pepper Adams.